Friday Update June 20, 2008

“FRIDAY
UPDATES”

June
20, 2008

Summer solstice begins today at 7:59 PM and
marks the first day of the season of summer. Have a great summer
everyone.

Town
Offices Closed for Independence Day

The Town Offices will be closed in
observance of the July 4^th holiday on Friday, July 4, 2008. All
offices will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 8:00
AM. There will be NO commercial recycling
collection on that day.

ASSESSING
2008 UPDATE OF VALUES

The Town will be updating its
property assessments in 2008. State statute requires updates at least every five
years. The last time this was accomplished in Durham was 2003 as part of a full revaluation
where every property was physically visited. The effort this time is known as a
statistical update, which means that the Town Assessor will analyze sales
activity before and after April 1, 2008 (Durham’s assessment date) and determine what
adjustments, if any, are necessary to bring the Town’s assessments to market
value. The Assessor will not be visiting every property. For commercial
property, the Assessor will collect economic information as well as sales data
to gauge what a potential buyer would pay for a business-type property. 
Results are expected by mid to late August at which time all owners will be
notified of their new values. After that time individual taxpayers will have an
opportunity to provide input about whether they feel their potential assessment
is close to market. Necessary changes will be made as a result of taxpayer input
and then the values will be finalized, a tax rate set, and eventually the tax
bills issued with the new assessments. While it is obvious to all that real
estate values are declining it is not a given that assessments are going down.
The market had increased approximately by 15% since 2003 and it remains to be
seen whether it has declined as much as it increased since that time. The Town
is mandated to distribute the burden of taxation as fairly as possible according
to market values.

ON-LINE
REGISTRATION UPDATE

The Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s
Office would like to thank residents for their patience over the past several
weeks and asks for continued support as staff work to become more proficient
with the state’s on-line vehicle registration system. We have also encountered
interconnectivity delays with the state. Since the registration process is more
time-consuming, residents with time constraints may want to consider registering
by mail or on the computer with E-Reg.  Please be aware there is no
additional cost to register by mail. However, there are additional fees charged
when registering with E-Reg. The renewal notices that are mailed out have
instructions on how to do both.  Although it is impossible to predict,
longer wait times seem to be occurring from noon to 2:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to
close. The Town Clerk/Tax Collector is currently considering several options to
make the office more efficient.  Re-configuration of the front counter into
workstations and installation of a handicap accessible window are being
considered.

SEMIANNUAL
TAX BILLS

A reminder that the first half
semiannual 2008 tax bills are due on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Interest will begin
accruing on July 2^nd.

WANTED
– PHOTOGRAPHS
FOR ANNUAL TOWN REPORT, FRIDAY UPDATES, DCAT BULLETIN
BOARD

Each year, we wrestle with the
decision of what will be placed on the cover of the Town Report. If residents
have a photograph or photographs that they think might be suitable for the Town
Report, we would appreciate receiving them. If you are out-and-about and find a
scenic or landmark area of Durham to take a photograph of that you feel might
make an attractive cover, we would like to hear from you. We prefer to receive
digital (jpeg) files if available, which can be emailed to Jennie Berry at jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
In order for photographs to work on the
cover, they must be taken as vertical photographs (not horizontal) and the
camera should be set at its highest resolution. Also, please do not
alter the size of the photograph once it is taken.

In addition to the Town Report
cover, we also need photographs for the “Friday Updates” and DCAT bulletin
board. Photographs of scenery, events,
historic moments, etc. are welcome--whether they are from 2008 or 1948. As
mentioned above, we prefer to receive digital (jpeg) files if available.
Photographs (originals) may also be dropped off at the Town Administrator’s
office during regular hours, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday through Friday which will
be scanned and returned to the owner once they are used. Let us know if you
would like to be credited for your photograph, and if so, how you would like the
credit to be worded.

PLANNING
BOARD

On Wednesday, June 18, 2008, the
Planning Board held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Durham
Zoning Ordinance Section 175-53, Table of Uses, to allow stables as a
Conditional Use in the Multi Unit Dwelling Office Research District (MUDOR) and
recommended passage of this amendment to the Town Council. In addition, the
Board held three public hearings on amendments to the Zoning Map that were
initiated by the Town Council. Section 175-14 (B) of the Zoning Ordinance states
that all Council-initiated amendments shall be referred to the Planning Board
for its review and study. Following a public hearing the Planning Board
shall submit a recommendation regarding the amendments to the Town Council
members within sixty (60) days of its referral. The first amendment was the
proposed extension of the Central Business District (CB) into the Church Hill
District (CH) on the south side of Main Street to Smith Park Lane. The
second amendment was the proposed extension of the Multi Unit Dwelling Office
Research District (MUDOR) into the Residence B District (RB) north of Route 4
and east of Madbury
Road.  The third amendment was the proposed
extension of the Office Research Light Industry District (ORLI) into the RB
District between Mill
Road and Mast Road by the Spruce Wood Development.
The Planning Board did not recommend that the first two amendments be moved
forward by the Council at this time as the Planning Board members felt they
needed more time to review the issues associated with the amendments. The
Board, however, did recommend that the Council move forward with the third
amendment pertaining to the change from RB to ORLI between Mast Road and
Mill
Road. The Planning Board also granted a thirty (30)
day extension to the River’s Edge Apartments to fulfill their conditions of
approval. The Planning Board will be meeting next Wednesday, June 25, 2008, and
will be continuing the public hearing on a nine (9) lot Conservation Subdivision
Application submitted by Joseph Caldarola for Sophie Lane (at the corner of
Bagdad and Canney Roads). The board will also discuss setting a public
hearing date for two Council-initiated amendments to the Zoning Ordinance based
on the work of the ad-hoc Housing Task Force Group. The first is an
amendment is to the definition of “Habitable Floor Area,” that will allow more
area to be counted as “Habitable Floor Area”. The second is an amendment to the
Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit in the Table of Dimensional Requirements for
the Central Business (CB). The proposal is to change the Minimum Lot Area per
dwelling unit in the CB from 1200 square feet to 900 square feet.  The
third is an amendment to the Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit in the Table of
Dimensional Requirements for the Church Hill (CH) Zoning Districts.  The
proposal is to change the Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit in the CH from 4200
square feet to 3000 square feet.  In addition, the board will discuss
whether there is interest from the Planning Board in submitting a grant
application to the New Hampshire Housing’s Inclusionary Zoning Implementation
Grant Program.

DURHAM
POLICE DEPARTMENT HOSTS “ADMINISTERING THE SMALL POLICE AGENCY” TRAINING SEMINAR

The Durham Police Department is
hosting a training seminar at the police facility this week entitled
“Administrating the Small Police Agency”. The International Association of
Chiefs of Police has developed this nationally recognized program with the
knowledge that managing a small agency is not an uncomplicated task.  Many
chiefs have command staff and
first-line supervisors to aid them in providing superior service to their
community. The chief of a small law enforcement agency, however, is not able to
delegate the many varied duties and responsibilities associated with heading a
modern law enforcement operation. They must be a “jack of all trades” in order
to provide the service necessary to their community. This program addresses the
many concerns associated with managing a small law enforcement agency, including
lack of finances, hiring and retaining good officers, obtaining effective
low-cost training, and forming relationships with other organizations.  By
hosting the program, Durham is able to secure three “seats” sending
three of its middle managers to experience the course.  This represents a
savings of over $1,800.00 in tuition fees without considering
housing, travel costs, or per diem.  But for hosting, Durham simply could not
afford to provide this level of training.  Many of the attendees are
traveling long distances to attend.  While most of the police chiefs are
from the New England area, one chief is from Corrales, New
Mexico!

INCINERATOR
DECOMMISSIONING UPDATE

The incinerator decommissioning is
tentatively scheduled to start on Monday, July 7, 2008. The company chosen,
local Envirovantage owned by Durham resident Scott Knightly, has indicated
that the decommissioning should only take about a week to be completed.  It
is anticipated that there will be no interruption of the residential access of
the Transfer Station on the Tuesday and Saturday of the week that the project
will take place.

CRACK
SEALING OF ROADS

This year’s crack sealing took place
on Mill
Road and Madbury Road during the
week.

ROAD
PROGRAM UPDATE

This week Ambler Way and
Gerrish
Drive were reclaimed and graded.  They are
scheduled for pavement on Wednesday of next week, weather permitting. 
Morgan
Way, Tirrell Place, and Williams Way are
being reclaimed today and will also be paved next week--most likely on
Thursday.  This will be the base coat of asphalt with the top coat
application coming up in August.  There was a slightly different
treatment on Morgan
Way due to the extensive damage, mostly due
to water, to one particular section.  The rest of Morgan will be
shimmed and overlayed.

TRAFFIC
ISLAND INSTALLED AT INTERSECTION OF DENNISON AND WOODMAN
ROADS

Following conversations with
the Woodman
Road residents and the Traffic Safety Committee, the
Department of Public Works has installed a small traffic island to
enhance the three way stop intersection at Dennison and Woodman Road to
address safety concerns.  Public Works would be interested to hear feedback
from residents that normally travel that corridor.

DOWNTOWN
SIDEWALK CLEANING

Steam cleaning of the downtown
sidewalks was completed earlier in the week to eliminate stains, remove gum and
other unattractive wear and tear.  

PUBLIC
MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are
scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town
Office and will begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated
below.

Durham Energy
Committee – Monday, June 23, 2008 (4:30
PM)

Planning Board – Wednesday, June 25,
2008

Conservation Commission – Thursday,
June 26, 2008

To view an agenda for the meetings
listed above, please click HERE. 
All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library
for checkout and viewing.

JULY
FOURTH CELEBRATION

The Durham-Great Bay Rotary Club and
the Town of Durham will be sponsoring a gala Independence
Day celebration with fireworks on Friday, July 4^th with a rain date
of Saturday, July 5^th to be held at Cowell Stadium on the UNH campus.
Activities will begin at 6:30 PM. In addition to music, activities are also
planned for children. The food court will also be open and serve great food
throughout the fireworks display. Donations will be accepted at the gate.
Fireworks will begin at dusk (9:00-9:15 PM).

DURHAM
DAY 2008

Durham Day 2008 has been set for
Sunday, September 14, 2008 from 12:30-4:30 PM at Wagon Hill Farm.
Residents interested in assisting with this annual event should contact Durham
Day Coordinator, Nicole Moore, at 868-6775 or e-mail durhamday3@yahoo.com.

LOOKING
FOR HELP FROM SKATEBOARDERS

Plans are moving along to construct
a modest skateboard area at Woodridge Park. The current plans, designed by Mike
Lynch from the Department of Public Works and with the assistance of a dedicated
group of middle school and high school skateboarders, is estimated to cost
approximately $12,000. The plan includes in-kind work and financial assistance
from the Town with donations of materials and funding. Residents are needed to
help raise money or provide materials to help make the skateboard park a
reality. If you would like to find out more, or to make a donation, please
contact Mike Lynch, Director of Public Works, at
868-5578.

NEW
BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN

Bindy’s
Boutique carries both new and gently used
men’s and women’s clothing. It is located in the former Incognito store between
the Store 24 and Durham House of Pizza.

Tastes
of New England features a variety of gourmet and
specialty foods from small producers throughout the northeast. It is located on
Jenkins
Court and store hours are Monday through Thursday,
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00
PM. For further information about Tastes of New England call 603-868-1202.

Wildcat
Fitness is currently making renovations in
the Mill
Plaza Shopping
Center. Owners Ken and Susan Entz have a target
opening date of June 28, 2008.

HICKORY
POND INN TO BEGIN SERVING DINNER

Hickory Pond Inn, located in
Durham on Route
108/Newmarket Road, will be "open to the public" beginning on June 20, 2008
serving dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings by reservation. 
For more information, contact the Hickory Pond Inn at www.hickorypondinn.com or call
659-2227.

UNH
BEGINS MUB SUMMER SERIES

The University of New Hampshire will begin its MUB Summer
Series events each Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the summer. This is free and
open to all Durham Residents, On Tuesday, July 8, 2008, beginning at 7:00 PM the
movie “National Treasurer: Book of Secrets” will be showing in Theaters I and II
at the MUB.  On Wednesday, July 9, 2008, beginning at 3:00 PM, musician
Jason Levasseur will be performing in Theater II. Movies are co-sponsored by the
MUB, Durham Business Association, and Durham: It’s Where U Live. For more information
regarding other summer events, please contact Dave at 862-1586 or log on to: www.unhmub.com, or to view the summer series
flyer www.unhmub.com/mub/unh_summer_2008.pdf

FROM
HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1786 – Our granite is very
workable. Local practice was to split the stones in the field by drilling a line
of holes in which ice could form during the winter; in spring they would be
neatly split. Still in use in Portsmouth are sidewalks made from our
granite.”

Have a nice
weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator

Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Tel
(603) 868-5571
Fax (603) 868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
www.ci.durham.nh.us

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